Could the smell of roses prevent sudden death in epilepsy?
NCT ID NCT07116421
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase study tests whether breathing in rose scent can reduce the number of times people with epilepsy stop breathing during seizures. Forty adults admitted to a hospital epilepsy monitoring unit will have their brain activity and breathing tracked for 48 hours, with rose scent diffused into their room for the second 24 hours. The goal is to see if this simple, pleasant smell can lower the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- 2-phenylethanol (rose scent) delivered via essential oil diffuser
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, non-invasive way to reduce breathing problems during seizures and potentially lower the risk of sudden death in epilepsy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small trial with only 40 participants and no control group. The effect may be small or absent, and some people may find the scent unpleasant or irritating.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for EPILEPSY are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
RECRUITINGNashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can MRI reveal the Brain's response to deep brain stimulation?
- Can community hospitals in zambia master severe disease care?
- Can mindfulness rewire the mind to lift depression in epilepsy?
- A break from seizure pills: could less medication mean better living?
- Can invisible electric fields quiet the Brain's seizure signals?
- Can a new drug tame severe childhood epilepsy?